Bureau and dresser trunk.



No. 630,438. Patented Aug. 8, I899.

J. BARKER.

BUREAU AND DRESSER TRUNK.

(Application filed Dec. 8, 1898.) 4 (No Model.) 2 sheets-sum k y L. @z

1m: yams PETERS co. PHOTO-LITHO WASHINGTON, :24 c4 No. 630,438. Patented Aug. 8, I899.

J. BARKER.

BUREAU AND DRESSER TRUNK.

(Application filed Dad. 8, 1898.) (N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE."

* .IoI IN BARKER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

BUREAU AND DRESSER TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,438, dated August- 8, 1899.

Applioation filed December 8, 1898. Serial No. 6982688. on model.) p

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, in the State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bureau and Dresser Trunks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved construction of trunk for travelers use, combining in one structure both a trunk and a bureau and dressing-table, into either of which it is readily convertible, as desired, without sacrificing or detracting from the strength, durability, and'capacity of the one or the convenience of the otherof the said articles; and the invention consists in certain novel construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter described, and specifically pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification, and as illustrated in the drawings forming a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a-perspective view of the trunk closed ready for traveling. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the trunk-body opened and converted into a dressing-bureau, the trays or drawers being removed from the body to show the construction more clearly. Fig. 4 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the folding top and upper part of the dressing-bureau. Fig. 5is a front elevation of the trunk arranged as a dresser and supported on legs. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the legs or supports which are provided for elevating thedresser to a convenient height above the floor. Figs. '7 and 8 are views in detail of the mirror adjustment. Fig. 9 represents in front elevation a bureau with a dressing-top formed of the construction of two trunks.

The principal and novel features of my improved trunk comprise a box body A, in which are a series of drawers or sliding trays B B B, fitted one upon the other and adapted to slide separately in and out from one side of the body and closing flush with that side, a hinged and folding cover or top 0, constituting a cover and protection for the drawers when closed and alsoadapted to form a dressing-top when opened and thrown back, and a receptacle in the bottom of the trunk which is formed and closed by the lower drawer for knockdown legs or supports, these last-named parts being of suitable size to be carried in that receptacle when the trunk is closed for traveling. I

The frame or body A of the trunk is constructed with the three sides, the top a and the bottom a closed, leaving the fourth and front side of open for the full width and height. Into this open front the sliding trays or drawers B B are fitted closely to fill the interior space and come fl ush with one another when closed.

Under the bottom drawer a compartment A in the bottom of the body extends from end to end and from back to the front side, at which-part the compartment projects beyond the front line of the open side, as shown at 0, Fig. 3. This compartment communicates with the bodyof the trunk when the drawers are drawn out and is closed by the lowerdrawer when the same is in place in the frame. The space A is of suitable size to permit a set of legs or supports L L to be stowed away under "the bottom drawer. In order to gain access to this space, it is necessary to remove the bottom drawer. The legs whenused are attached to the bottom of the trunk, one set under each end, for the purpose of raising it to a convenient height from the floor to serve as a dressing-table. The same end is attained, however, by placing one trunk upon another, where a person may be traveling with two trunks or in the case of a man and wife eachhaving a separate trunk. In adapting two trunks for use in the last- ,described mannerto form a bureau with a dresser-top one of the trunks is provided with the sectional folding dresser-top O, in which are compartments orreceptacles for toilet articles; but inthe other trunk the stationary top is made single without a folding section and the lid to shut over the front of the drawers is a fiat cover O hinged to the stationary top along the front edge 0 and adapted to fold back and lie flat upon the stationary top, so as to form a horizontal base for the bottom of the other trunk to rest on.

The dresser-top C is constructed of thehorizontal base portion 0 and the back C, rigidly joined to it at right angles, the latter part forming the cover of the open front a and the last-named part 0 being hinged at C C to the remaining part of the top, so as to fold back upon it when the part 0 is turned up. In that position the part O stands vertical and flush with the back of the trunkbody. The sides of the two parts of the top 0 are returned at right angles, as shown at C C", Fig. 3, forming to the lid and the base a rim which laps over the meeting edges between these two parts and the top and front side of the trunk-body to form a close joint. These parts are also shown in Fig. 1 in the closed position. Thevrecess in the back and in the right-angle base of the top 0 between the standing sides before mentioned is divided into several box-like compartments D D E, fitted with hinged doors or lids D D E, and forming separate receptacles to contain various articles.

By the arrangement of the compartments before mentioned in the lid or part 0 suitable extent of space is afforded for a mirror or dressing-glass G. This part of the dresser is mounted on extensible supports, the construction of which is shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8, by which it is capable of being adjusted at varying angles for use and of being folded back flatly against the lid when that part is to be closed down over the front of the trays.

To each angle-plate H, fixed against the stationary bracket I I in the back of the lid O, is attached by a thumb-screw. h a bar or latch-piece I-I, having a slot h for the thumbscrew to pass through and a hooked inner end h fitting into a slot 7c in the angle-plate II, the front end 71 of the bar H being pivotally attached to the side of the mirrorframe. In one position which these bars or attachments are capable of taking the hook ends are set into the recesses k by loosening the thumb-screws and setting the bars II horizontally outward, and then by tightening the screws h the mirror is held stationary with its top thrown forward at an angle, or by loosening the clamp-screws and turning the bars vertically upward, so as to lie against the sides of the frame, the mirror can be set back flatly against the lid and afterward held in place by tightening the screws 71..

Where the lid 0 is constructed without the angular top section and 'is designed to fold horizontally upon the top of the trunk-body, the compartments before mentioned and the mirror are omitted and the lid is made of reduced depth. The open front side of the body is brought out nearly flush with the front line of the bottom drawer, so that the outside face of the lid O meets and lies flush with that lower front portion the same as in the other construction of dresser-top. A trunk lock M on these parts holds the lid fast when it is closed down over the drawers, and trunkstraps N are attached to the sides of the lid to engage buckles in the ends of the trunks as a means of holding more securely the lower end of the lid to the trunk-body.

The drawers are furnished with suitable sliding within the frame, the bottom of the lowermost drawer being adapted when in position to stand in line with the top of the projecting portion for forming a closed compartment beneath it within'the body, a two-part cover hinged on top of the frame, the front portion being adapted to close against the front of the drawers so that its edge will stand flush with the projecting portion, and means for locking the same in position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

' 2. In a convertible trunk, the combination with the body having an open front and adapted to contain removable trays, and a bottom portion projecting beyond the line of the front; of a cover to said front having a base at right angles thereto, hinges connecting said base to the top of the trunk-body on which it is adapted to be turned back to support the cover part in an upright position, an adjustable mirror, and'supports therefor consisting of angle-plates, slotted bars attached at the front ends to the mirror-frame, and means for engaging the slots and angle-plates for holdingthe mirror in position, substantially as described.

3. In a convertible trunk, the combination with the body having an open front and adapted to contain the removable trays, and a bottom portion projecting beyond the line of the open front; of a cover for said front having a base at right angles thereto, hinges connecting said base to the top of the trunkbody on which it is adapted to be turned back to support the cover in an upright position, an adjustable mirror, and supports therefor consisting of angle-plates, slotted bars attached at the front ends to the mirror-frame,

and thumb-screws passing through the slots and engaging the angle-plates for holding the mirror in an adjusted position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a convertible trunk, the combination with the bodyhaving an open front and adapted to contain removable trays, and a bottom portion projecting beyond the line of the open IIO front; of a cover for said front having a base at right angles thereto, hinges connecting said base to the top of the trunk-body on which it is adapted to be turned back to support the cover part in an upright position, an adjustable mirror, angle-plates carried by suitable supports and provided with slots, bars pivoted at one end to the mirror-frame and having hooks at their other ends to engage said slots, and means for holding said bars rigidly in position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a convertible trunk, the combination with the body having an open front and adapted to contain removable trays, and a bottom portion projecting beyond the line of the open front; of a cover to said front having a base at right angles thereto, hinges connecting said base to the top of the trunk-body on which it is adapted to be turned back to support the cover part in an upright position, a mirror, angle-plates carried by suitable supports and provided with slots, slotted bars 15 gaging the angle-plates, substantially as and 20 for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

JOHN BARKER. [L. 8.]

\Vitnesses:

E. H. THARP, M. RneNER. 

